Known in the tennis domain as the ‘Indo-Pak Express’, the pairing of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna has made major inroads into acclaim and accolades, both on and off the field. The “stop war start tennis” initiative that spread like fire in both parts of the Indo-Pak divide was complemented by the United Nations Development Program to appoint the duo as Goodwill Ambassadors in November 2010. They also received Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award 2010 – one that Aisam had won with Amir Hadad in 2002 as well – and the “Peace and Sport Image of the Year” award among many other accolades for peace and their off-field influence.
Even though Aisam and Bopanna had teamed up in 2007, the global dynamics work in such a way that any statement of goodwill, more often than not, come to the fore only after on-field achievements. Such was the case for the Indo-Pak duo in September 2010, when their earth-shattering run to the final at Flushing Meadows brought them to the forefront. Aisam coupled that run with a final’s berth in the mixed doubles as well; and his speech at the award distribution ceremony won over hearts after making a mark as a doubles player.
Back in 2010, Aisam and Bopanna were relatively unknown commodities. They usurped the tennis scene owing to the element of surprise that more often than not took their opponents by surprise. This was clearly visible in their run to the final in US Open 2010. Aisam is a conventional serve and volleyer, who backs his serving with dexterous volleying – the more textbook doubles player of the two. Bopanna, on the other hand, has pulverising ground strokes and a beast of a serve. Bopanna is a competent ad-court player, with a powerful backhand and Aisam hogs the deuce court, since his backhand is his weaker link while the forehand is an indubitable weapon. Together the two formed a daunting opposition, as their respective skills complemented each other seamlessly.
However, what really impacted the duo’s overall play package was the fact that they translated their off-court understanding into matters on the court – something Brian Brothers have showcased in an unparalleled manner over the years. The two were best friends before they were partners – and this is what they have asserted in the past as well. And like true friends they would stand up for each other, cover each other’s frailties and when the other was having a bad day, his partner would put in more than his fair share of tenacity. Such unique camaraderie ensured that their combined prowess was considerably more than the sum of the two individuals.
After the US Open, there first-round exits galore for the team from the subcontinent, and the spark and the collaboration was crucially missing. However, the two managed to put together their best in Paris and won their only ATP 1000 event, which brought them into the spotlight in the doubles game yet again. Nonetheless, losing all three of their pool matches in the World Tour Finals – owing some of it to luck and some to lethargy – the two have decided to part ways in pursuit, ostensibly, of Olympics glory.
They were a deadly team, with new partners they might well struggle to match their exploits – something they might learn the hard way next year. 2012 being an Olympic year meant that there was always going to be a shuffle in the packs of doubles partners around the globe. And when Bhupathi and Paes announced their split – again – rumours linking Bopanna with one of them gathered momentum. Bopanna opting for Bhupathi – or the other way round – was surprising, since both of them are ad-court players; however what was even more surprising was the way Aisam and Bopanna halted their express. The initial word was that the split is temporary, with the London Olympics in mind; but the noise generated by both halves of the Indo-Pak express is marred by bitterness – even though the two endeavour to downplay that – and it appears that the express is being halted for good.
The decision to part ways has been taken by Bopanna, who extrovertly claimed in recent interviews that he did not have a successful year with Aisam and was looking forward to changing that with Bhupathi. Such a statement within a month of their maiden ATP 1000 title in Paris was not only uncalled for, it also reflects a feeling of resentment on Bopanna’s part. The two reached the ATP World Tour Finals for the very first time, and reaching the year-ending finale connotes a successful year.
Aisam will be partnered by Jean-Julien Rojer next year – a top 20 player – and has clarified that he holds no grudges against his ‘good friend’ Bopanna. Bopanna should have done the same and appreciated his time with Aisam even if he wanted to call it a day on the partnership.
Nevertheless, considering what unraveled in Beijing 2008, with Bopanna and Bhupathi having a torrid time as a team, it might be Bopanna who misses Aisam being next to him rather than the other way round.
Is the Indo-Pak Express derailed for good?
